10 Best Barter Items If The Grid Goes Down Long Term

10 Best Barter Items If The Grid Goes Down Long Term – Graphic © myfamilysurvivalplan.com. Background image: Fur trading from 1770. PD

Civilizations rise and fall. It’s a historical fact and there’s nothing to suggest that this precedent will change. They have their time of expansion, their time of greatness – and then their time of collapse. After such events – real trading will not be based on digital digits in a computer. It will be based on ‘long-term’ useful items. Seeds, not food. Arrows, not ammo. Tools, not filters. See, once the ‘short duration expendables’ are consumed, you won’t be re-supplying: You’ll be making your own… or doing without. From turning your own arrow shafts to cutting arrowheads from old license plates; from building filtration weirs to filter water to needing copper tubing to make ‘wood-fired-water-heaters’.

Knowledge and durable supplies (axes, hammers, spoke shaves, saw blades, etc.) will be the real money. He who has stocked dozens of saw blades will be king. He who sits on a case of toilet paper will be sad he didn’t learn how to replace it with what they used 200 years ago, instead (FYI, toilet paper is only about a 100-year old concept – ask yourself, what did they use before then, and get a real clue – because THAT is VERY valuable in the long term!)

Stocking for a 2-week event is not that difficult. The hard part is stocking for total paradigm shift, that few remember how to do much of. You won’t be making your own saw blades anytime soon. Now, ask yourself, what else will you NOT be making, that you need to learn how to make, or replace with older technology before you need it (or need to trade it).

The Best Barter Items List Would Look Like This:

1. Tools (saw blades, hatchets, axe heads, hammerheads – many sourceable from auctions, garage sales, etc.)

2. A simple still (or the components to assemble one), as this will make your alcohol for drinking, cleaning, medical use, etc. (don’t forget to learn how to make the corn mash itself, or to have extra parts put back)

3. Learn to make alternative bows (PVC bows are excellent, weather-proof), and how to turn arrow shafts, as well as how to lace and tie bowstrings – not all string will suffice for it – dacron works well

4. Learn to make filtration weirs for water. Forget store filtration units, understand how rain barrels work, how to purify water with boiling, and how settlement works to remove metals. Extra barrels are highly tradeable.

5. Forget trading foods, long-term you will have far more demand for trading seeds. Those with the most-seeds and largest fresh selection will draw the best trades.

6. Long-term storable items are great (salt, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, some cheeses, dehydrated or cured foods possibly). He who can build a primitive dehydrator, and had the parts to trade to others, will be king. Dried beans and salt-cured hams can last 24 months, these will be in demand as well. Jerky was used and looked-at differently 200 years ago (the jerky was used as a stew meat with the salt extracted to flavor soups and stews – knowing this extends the use of your stocks – and IS TRADEABLE INFORMATION!)

7. Survival information is valuable, and in a time when it is desperately needed, being able to have a few copies of condensed information on-hand and barter-ready will be very valuable, indeed. Type up and print a dozen copies of general information that others may not readily have.

8. Fire-making will ALWAYS be critical, and having a dozen extra ferroceramic rods and striking steels will be worth their weight in gold if it all goes south.

9. Enough can’t be said for water containers. Seems simple now, but if things go wrong, one of the hardest things to usually find is a good canteen or water jug. Put enough back for yourself, but put more back for trade. The harder to break, the better. I’ve got a dozen military 1-qt canteens laying around here than there, in a pinch, I have 2-3 I’ll use, but the rest can be had – for a price.

10. Everyone needs a warm place to sleep. Funny thing is, linens wear out pretty fast – as do blankets. A good blanket is like a good coat. We’ve all planned for clothes (I hope), but when’s the last time you heard someone brag about having a couple of good wool blankets put back? I’ve got two good wool blankets. I paid $40 each for them. Let the power go out, in November, and you not have one. I don’t know how much you’re willing to pay for them, but I know what you’re going to trade me for them if you don’t want to freeze at night. I won’t trade both at all, but I’ll be looking for what would be several thousand dollars worth of trade for the one I can ‘spare’.

See, barter comes down to how desperate (or how much does your life depend on it) you are, as to how critical it really is to have for barter. Can you live without toilet paper, versus that last wool blanket? THIS is how barter REALLY works.

Barter is far scarier than you can even understand, if you are UNABLE to assess ‘critical need’ from ‘whimsy want’ right now. Fire, water, shelter, warmth – yeah, you’re going to pay dearly for what you didn’t see fit to pack now. Think about critical needs, before you think all that ammo is so important. I bet my wool blanket is worth AT LEAST all of your ammo if you’re cold and we’re both armed. Again, don’t plan on thuggery, stock what you can’t afford to trade for. Have extras to trade yourself, in regards to those critical things we MUST have.

Toilet paper? LOL, Davey Crockett didn’t have toilet paper and he did just fine. HE DID have a weapon, a knife, a fire flint, a good blanket, and good clothes and boots. He traded horses, burros, saddles, and whiskey. Take a 3-year, 1,000 mile trip in your mind, and imagine only meeting others on the road like yourself. Each packed differently, not all are nice, not all are passive. Now, prepare for the trip in your mind and take it. What do you see yourself needing, each day, as the seasons change, as the environment changes and as bad and good people cross your path?

Once again, toilet paper is like a good cigar or stick of chewing gum. It might give you ‘modern comfort’, but there are far more important things you need first.

Did you pack them?

By BioPrepper

Bartering – Planning For the Future

In the recent past, many believed that by accumulating cash in different dominations they would have a safe means of protection in the event that they found themselves in an SHTF scenario. They could purchase all the latest in camping gear, bug out equipment and stored food and water.

Depending On Bartering

They believed that all they needed to have for barter been cash, coin, Silver, Gold or Platinum to sustain their barter needs. In reality, cash, coin or commodities may actually be some of the worst means you can depend on for bartering. During a regional or national crisis, the actual value of cash and commodities may become very uncertain.

Credit will undoubtedly be suspended and the banks could be placed under a “banking holiday” much like during the Great Depression. Cash and coin may hold their value for a period of time, but those using commodities for bartering may find it far more difficult to use than other more survival oriented items; which, would be more suited to what people will be looking for to sustain their everyday needs.

Precious metals are usually purchased in denominations of one ounce or more and can be extremely difficult to cut and size down into smaller and more manageable denominations for bartering. Those using monetary commodities may find themselves expending much more for smaller amounts simply because it will be extremely difficult to accurately judge their true value once sized.

An acceptable and practical means of reducing their commodities to uniform, acceptable and usable amounts for barter may take months or years to develop. Therefore, let’s look at other more practical means of planning to obtain items that can be used to barter for what you might need to sustain you and your family in the future if caught in an SHTF scenario.

You not only need to prepare and acquire the necessities for everyday survival for yourself and your family, but you also need to acquire items that can be used when you begin to deplete your stock of available food and supplies to replenish those supplies. That is when you need to think outside the box when it comes to planning for your own family’s short and long-term survival. In addition to their immediate requirements of shelter, water and food, it is necessary to consider preparing a list of items you can use to obtain the useful things you may need for your intermediate and long-term survival. These are the items you can use to trade for the essentials you need to continue to not only survive but thrive in your present environment.

When planning your trade list, or items you are considering for bartering, these items need to fall into the categories of what other survivors will need and want. These need to be practical items that have always been in the forefront on the human wants and needs list during times of crisis.

Alcohol and Tobacco have always been among the highest valued trade items in a barter system due to the fact that they are the most sought out items to either ease one’s anxiety or satisfy age-old habits.

Other items that are always in high demand after an emergency, especially in times of chaos and destruction are simple rescue and recovery tools like pry bars, shovels, and other debris removal items. In addition, medical supplies, medicines, plain condoms, water purification tablets and first aid supplies are always in demand following any disaster or crisis where injuries, shock, and stress can be expected. Of course, items that fulfill more of the true survival need, such as knives, axes, camping equipment, compasses, solar chargers, varying sizes of solar batteries and saws you will also find much in demand.

Varying types of ammunition have traditionally always been good bartering items. With over 18 million AR-15 platform rifles now in the hands of the American public, knowledge of gunsmithing on this weapon series, spare parts, magazines and .556mm ammunition for this rifle are something you might want to consider as serious barter items to add in your planning. Most, if not all, of the items aforementioned, are obtainable online or at your local gun shows at fairly reasonable prices.

Using their imagination, the reader can add many more useable items to this list. The key is to keep it simple. I submit that barter item should be only those which will be practical to someone’s survival or everyday needs. Now is the time to plan for and begin to obtain those items you believe may fit into your SHTF scenario. Procrastinating can only lead to not only

not having what you need, but leave you without the means to obtain what you may need in the future. Having items you have on hand now and may not need to offer someone in the future for something you definitely need is, I believe, essential to your strategic survival planning.

By Theodore Doty, My Family Survival Plan – Contributor

16 Skills Useful For Bartering In A Crisis Situation

One of the biggest threats we face today could be financial collapse. It seems that people everywhere are just waiting for the one card to fall that’s holding up the whole house of cards. When that happens, it won’t be pretty.

In such an instance, the money in your pocket could become essentially worthless. Hyperinflation will kick in and the book value of the dollar will plummet. People and businesses won’t be willing to accept dollars as payment, simply because the dollar will be devaluing so rapidly. We will end up returning to a barter system for a lot of everyday personal commerce.

What’s interesting is that these skills can come in handy even when things are going well. A little strategy is always a good thing.

Various disasters could render money essentially useless. If the internet or power grid went down, most people’s money will be trapped in the bank’s computer. They might not be able to access it for months. In that case, they’ll be seeking what they can trade so that they can feed their families.

A lot of people are talking about stockpiling goods to use for bartering when that time comes. That’s a good idea — one that could prove quite profitable. The best barter goods are (sadly) said to be those that feed people’s vices; specifically alcohol and cigarettes. But you must also be aware that hoarding of any kind could make you a target of thieves or looters.

Anything that is needed for survival will probably be popular as barter goods. It’s interesting how priorities change. Medical supplies, food, tools and other basics of survival become more important. You can’t eat gold, antiques, collectibles and so on, so these things would lose their immediate value. People would have more important things to focus on.

When Argentina went through their financial collapse, food became one of the top items for bartering.

That’s not all you can barter, though. Since a financial collapse is always accompanied by at least a partial collapse of society, there are many skills which can be bartered, as well. With the difficulty in getting these services from normal channels, people will be grateful to find others that can do them.

When you go to visit a doctor, you expect to pay him for his time. Why is that? It’s because that doctor knows things that you don’t. They’ve invested time and money in learning their profession. So, you aren’t just paying them for their time, you’re paying them for their knowledge, as well. If you were only paying them for their time, you’d be paying them the same rate that you pay someone to cut your lawn.

What makes the difference, in that case, is the knowledge that the doctor has. His time is more valuable because of that knowledge. Likewise, in any crisis situation, your knowledge is valuable. Don’t let people treat you as if it isn’t. If they don’t want to make a trade that is beneficial to you, you can always walk away. They need you more than you need them.

Skills to Trade

With that said, the next question is: What marketable survival skills do you have? Let’s start with those, and then we’ll look at some others.

1. Water purification – Most people don’t have the slightest idea of how to purify water, other than you can purify it by boiling it. They don’t even know how long to boil it.

2. Alternative cooking methods – Take away electricity and most people don’t have much of an idea of how to cook. Even obvious things, like using their barbecue grill might not occur to them. More exotic methods, such as solar ovens, are way beyond their understanding.

3. Fire starting – Yes, people will have problems starting fires. Unless someone is a smoker or has a fireplace, there’s a good chance they won’t have matches or a lighter.

4. Making bio-fuel – If you have the capability, you might just be able to sell any excess you have.

5. Gardening – Many people have vegetable gardens so that they can supply their family with food when things fall apart. Your neighbors might look enviously at that garden, especially when they get hungry. Teach them how to start their own garden, supplying the seeds that they’ll need to get going.

6. Animal husbandry – Are you raising chickens or goats? Just like your vegetable garden, those might become the focus of neighborhood attention. You can help your neighbors start their own chicken coop, perhaps seeding a few chicks to them.

7. Home defense – If things get bad, you might need to organize your neighborhood for mutual self-defense. As the leader and planner of that effort, your neighbors should offer you something in return.There are probably many other survival skills you have, but they might be more specific to surviving in the wilderness, rather than surviving in an urban situation. You probably won’t be able to barter those as well, unless you offer classes to your neighbors.

There are a whole host of other skills which could be bartered, as well. Pretty much anything that is necessary for survival, which people are accustomed to getting from society, will be in demand. In addition, any of the trades will always be in demand, just as they are now. You might know some of these skills, but not use them as your profession. But then, if your profession dries up from the crisis, these skills might be what you need to provide for your family.

8. Medical services – Medical services will always be in demand; in a crisis, they are often overloaded. You have to be careful with this one, as there are some legal liability issues associated with it. However, anyone who knows basic wound treatment and first aid can do that, even if they aren’t certified. If people have a problem getting to medical help, the ability to take care of a wound may save someone’s life. That’s worth a lot.

9. Midwife – If medical services are overloaded or hard to get to, then the age-old profession of the midwife will be needed. Once again, just like any other medical service, you have to be careful about liability; as you could be held liable for anything that goes wrong.

10. Psychology or counseling – Many people will have trouble dealing with the problems that they are facing and need help adjusting to them. Being able to counsel those people and help them come to grips with post-crisis life will be valuable.

11. Home repair (of all sorts) – Many disasters cause damage to homes. As those homes are necessary to help people survive, being able to make repairs can be very profitable.

12.Mechanics – We will always need mechanics to keep our cars running, as long as there is a gas to run them. This is truer today than in the past because less people know how to do it themselves.

13. Small engine repair – Strange as it sounds, just because someone can repair a car, doesn’t mean that they can repair a lawnmower or generator. In a crisis situation we will probably be depending upon these devices even more than normal; increasing the need for this skill.

14. Appliance repair – With people having less money, they won’t be able to just run out and buy a new washing machine if theirs breaks. Having it repaired would be much cheaper. This may even apply to small appliances if merchandise starts becoming scarce.

15. Gunsmithing – When people get hungry and desperate, there’s no telling what they will do. People who have guns may not have the ability to fix them themselves.

16. Clergy – More than half of the counseling done in this country is done by clergy. That won’t become any less in the aftermath of a crisis. Their services will also be needed for helping with weddings and funerals.

There are probably some other skills, such as blacksmithing, which should be added to this list. Take time to inventory your own skills and see how they might be useful in the aftermath of a financial crash or other crisis. Don’t limit yourself to only these things; think of anything you know how to do, which might be useful in a survival situation. Many things that we don’t commonly use today will be needed, as people are forced to return to the ways of our ancestors.

If the skills which you are planning on bartering require special materials to do, you should put in a stock of those materials as well. Granted, you probably can’t stock everything, but you can stock the most common things you’d use. That way, you’ll have something to start with.

One of the questions that many preppers have about bartering is that of what to accept in trade for their trade goods or skills. There are several ways of looking at this. Typically, preppers talk about trading their trade goods or skills for things that they don’t have. No matter how thoroughly any of us prepare, we’re going to forget something. If you need that something, then it becomes the most important thing for you to trade for.

Another thing you can trade for is people’s time. Just surviving is going to be a full-time job. You may have trouble coming up with enough time to survive, as well as barter your skills. Well then, barter your skills for other people’s time. In other words, if you have a neighbor that needs drinking water, tell them you’ll purify their water if they haul water from the river for both of you. Or, you’ll help them start their vegetable garden if they’ll pull weeds in yours. That way, you can make better use of the time that you have.

Remember, your time will be more valuable than theirs, simply because you have the needed skills to survive. Be fair to people, but don’t let them take advantage of you either. Your prime concern is taking care of your own family, not theirs.

One last category of things you can barter for is valuables. Eventually, things will return to normal, or a new normal. While a silver tea set may lose its relative value during the crisis, because it isn’t necessary for survival; after the crisis, its value will return. When that happens, you can sell the tea service for a profit.

During World War II, there was a lot of this going on. There were constant shortages in occupied Europe. The priority was given to the German military forces, leaving insufficient food for the population in these countries. Many people dealt with this by going out to the country and trading silver tea sets and other valuables to farmers for hams cheeses, and other foodstuffs.

When the war was over and Europe returned to normal, many of those farmers, who had been poor before the war, ended up quite comfortable. Their black-market bartering of food during the war years made them a tidy profit when it came time to sell those valuables.

By Rich M – www.offthegridnews.com (edit – MFSP)